Page 17 - AAA Northwest Ohio - AAA Now! March/April 2013
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17
MARCH/APRIL 2013
stealing your wine glass,” a tasting room sign reads,
tongue firmly in cheek. It might be a little more
alarming if you weren’t sipping a tasty wine called
“Temptation” in a former church turned winery. The
former Methodist Episcopal church, dating to 1892,
was moved about fifty miles to its current location
in 2002, says manager Jess Hedrick and quickly
became a favorite stop on Ohio’s wine trail.
Pat Smith of Cleveland was visiting with friends
during a recent visit and said South River’s offerings
have drawn rave reviews, even from wine snobs.
“My sister and I came last year and
went to all of the area wineries but
we liked the history and ambience
here best,” Smith says.
Cathedral ceilings tower over
the long tasting bar where you
can sample the traditional dry
varieties such as “Karma” (a blend of
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
and Merlot) or the sweeter white
“Temptation,” a sweet blush wine
combining Riesling and Cabernet
Franc. In summer, the pavilion and
grounds welcome bring-your-own
picnic baskets.
Not far away, at Debonne Vineyards, Beth Debevc
is part of the four-generation family that has owned
and operated the vineyards since 1916. Its 170
acres make it one of the largest growers in the state.
“All of the vineyards in the area have their own
personality,” she says. Special events year-round
include favorites such as the Candlelight Cellar
Dinner and Hot Air Balloon Rides; regular offerings
include live entertainment, outdoor dining and
a popular on-site tasting area. A new brewery
features artisan beer, but most people come for the
popular white Reisling, Debevc says. “It’s definitely
king,” she claims.
Both South River and Debonne (along with a
variety of other local options) are stops on the
convenient Wine Shuttle operated by The Lodge at
Geneva-on-the-Lake, a waterfront inn 45 minutes
east of Cleveland. Calling itself “Ohio’s Wine
Country Resort,” the lodge was recently named
one of the Top 10 Wine Country Inns in the U.S.
by
, the only Ohio destination to make
the list.
Drivers meet you in the lobby near the soaring,
four-story fireplace. The $15 shuttle
service operates Thursday through
Sunday from June through August
and weekends September through
May. It’s a handy (and safe) way
to explore the area’s extensive
wineries, most of which are
concentrated in the nearby Grand
River Valley, a federally designated
wine appellation that provides
visitors with an experience similar to
California’s Napa Valley. Maps are also
available at the front desk for self-
guided tours.
If you prefer, the lodge’s octagonal Horizons
restaurant offers wine tastings on site. Stay
overnight in one of 109 spacious guest rooms and
suites, many with Lake Erie views. Bringing the
kids along? The relaxing resort adjacent to Geneva
State Park also offers a summer Grape Camp in
July and August designed for young enthusiasts,
with one night accommodations, dinner, campfire,
a nature walk and an education-oriented trip to a
local vineyard as well as a signature wine country
package and a popular wine series. All will have
you proud to be an Ohio oenophile.
Planning Your Trip:
For information on these and other Ohio
wineries as well as upcoming wine events, visit
or
For maps, TripTik® routings, TourBook® guides and
other trip-planning assistance, contact your local
AAA Auto Travel Counselor or visit
Canton’s Gervasi Vineyard
At night, relax and
rest up in one of
six villas, a haven
of European-style
bedding, rustic
furniture and walk-
in stone showers
with luxurious
amenities.
Still thirsty?
Consider these other grape and
culinary options in Northeast Ohio.
North Coast Grapevine Tours:
Concentrates on vineyards of the Lake
Erie shore and Islands area.
.
Amish CountryWinery Tours:
Visit four Amish-area wineries and
enjoy lunch and shopping. www.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
“Grape Escape”Two-hour wine-and
food-focused trip by rail through
the Cuyahoga Valley National
Park.
NEO Food Tours: Walking tours
take in the latest Northeast
Ohio cuisine.
